Written by Ivy Dong |
Dali is a popular travel destination in western Yunnan Province. It is best known for its laidback lifestyle, serene natural beauty, and local Bai ethnic culture. This article will be your comprehensive guide on Dali transportation for your Dali tour. We’ll cover major modes of Dali transportation, how to get to Dali, transportation to nearby Yunnan cities and attractions.
In general, there are a few ways to get to Dali. The most popular options are by air and high-speed rail. You could also travel by long-distance bus or drive from nearby cities, but it wouldn’t be as convenient or efficient. Within the city, Dali city public transportation is well-developed. You can get around by taxi, bus, or bike.
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- How to Get to Dali
- Transportation to Dali Attractions
- Alternative / Off-beat Transport Options in Dali
- Dali Transportation to Nearby Cities
- FAQs about Dali Transportation
- Enjoy a Healing Dali Tour with China Xian Tour
How to Get to Dali
By air
If you’re already in China or would like to make a transfer, you can travel to Dali by flight. Dali Huangcaoba Airport, or Dali Fengyi Airport, is the only airport in Dali. It is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the city center. It offers flights to and from many major Chinese cities. Here’re the flight durations from some major cities:
- Shanghai– 4 hours and 45 minutes
- Beijing– 4 hours
- Guangzhou – 3 hours and 10 minutes
- Shenzhen – 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Xi’an– 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Chengdu– 1 hour and 45 minutes
Dali Airport Transportation
The airport has shuttle bus services to both the city center (Xiaguan) and Dali Old Town. It takes about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the traffic condition. The service operates daily without a set schedule. Usually, it runs when there’s an arriving flight. You may also take a taxi to your destination from the airport.
By train
If you’re traveling to Yunnan directly from your home country, your best option is to fly into Kunming Changshui International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Yunnan. Then take a high-speed train to Dali. It is the most popular way to get to Dali, as there’re a lot more flights in Kunming. If you’re already in China, you can also take a train to Dali Railway Station from other cities in the country like:
Transportation to Dali Attractions
How to Get around Dali
Dali transport in the city is very straightforward. Major modes of Dali transportations include taxis, private cars, buses, bikes, and cruises. There is no metro service in the city yet.
Among them, taxis are the most convenient and efficient option, but the costs may be higher in comparison, and the traffic might cause delay depending on the time of the day and year. The city bus system covers a large area of the city. It’s a budget-friendly way to get around most places that you may want to visit. However, it may not be so easy to navigate for those visiting Dali for the first time.
Get to Dali Ancient Town
Dali Ancient Town is one of the top ancient towns of Yunnan and even China. It is located about 28 kilometers (17 miles) from Dali city center. As it is a popular tourism spot, many visitors like to stay in the area on their Dali trips. There’re a number of ways to get there.
If you get to Dali by plane, the airport offers shuttles and taxi services to Dali Ancient Town. It’ll take about an hour. If you arrive by train, you can take a taxi from Dali Railway Station, which will take about 1.5 hours. Or you can take bus No. 4 at Municipal Court Station to San Yue Jiekou Station. From the city center, you can either take a taxi from wherever you are or take bus No. 4 or 8.
Get to Erhai Lake
Erhai Lake is the landmark of Dali and a must-visit Yunnan tour destination. It sits in the center of Dali, is home to many small fishing villages and the Bai ethnic culture. It’s about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away from Dali Ancient Town. Depending on where you’re going, there’re a number of bus lines such as No. 4, 6, and 8.
One of the most popular things to do at Erhai Lake is cycling. Dali weather is clear and sunny pretty much all year round. You can bike around the clear lake water and stop for coffees along the way. Enjoy the leisurely Dali lifestyle. To get even closer to Erhai Lake, cruises are also part of Dali transportation. Board a lake cruise for a beautiful view of the water and surrounding scenery.
Get to Cangshan Mountain
Cangshan Mountain is a magnificent mountain range with many peaks and streams. It’s a great place for hiking to see temples, waterfalls, wildflowers, forests, and many rare plants and animals. You can also take a cable car to the top of the mountain.
Cangshan Mountain is about 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Dali Ancient Town. You can take a sightseeing bus directly to one of the cableways. Or you can take bus No. 4 or 9. If you’re in Dali city center or near Erhai Lake, you can always take a taxi.
Alternative / Off-beat Transport Options in Dali
- Electric bikes /e-scooters around Erhai Lake: The electric bike is the most classic way to tour the Erlai Lake and its daily cost ranges from CNY 20 – 90. The E-scooter is popularized in 2025. Its expense is calculated by hour and is CNY 30 per hour.
- Boat/cruise options on Erhai Lake: This is a special experience to appreciate the scenery from a different perspective. Dali Port, Longkan Port and Shuanglang Port all operate different cruise routes. The ticket for a regular cruise ship is CNY 70 + and the duration is about 3 hours. Usually, there is a three-course tea dance and song performance on the ship.
- Car rentals / self-drive: Foreign tourists can also rent a car with a valid international driver’s license certification or a notarized copy of the license. You can confirm with the car rental company in advance. The rental fee is about CNY 200 – 500 for one day based on the car type. A deposit is also required, which is about several thousand yuan.
- Shared ride apps:Didi can be used in Dali to call a shared bus. It provides an English interface, so foreign tourists can also use it easily.
Dali Transportation to Nearby Cities
Yunnan is a large province with plenty of things to do. Different parts of the province offer different natural and cultural landscapes. For the best Yunnan tour, it’s recommended that you extend your visit to other cities in Yunnan and have the most comprehensive experience. Here are the ways to get from Dali to popular nearby cities by flight, train, and long-distance bus.
From Dali to Kunming
Kunming is the capital city and gateway of Yunnan, about 330 km (205 miles) from Dali. Thanks to its mild climate and serene landscapes, it’s known as the “City of Eternal Spring.” As the center of Yunnan transportation, it has the busiest airport and a couple of high-speed rail stations. To get to Kunming from Dali, you can travel
- By flight:1 hour from Dali Fengyi Airport to Kunming Changshui International Airport
- By train: 2.5 hours from Dali Railway Station to Kunming Railway Station or Kunming South Railway Station
- By long-distance bus: 4-6 hours
From Dali to Lijiang
Lijiang is another hot tourism city in Yunnan most famous for its hiking scene at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge. There’re also historical ancient towns and Naxi ethnic culture. It is about 190 km (118 miles) from Dali city. You can get there
- By train: 2-3 hours from Dali Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station
- By long-distance bus:2-3 hours
From Dali to Shangri-La
The breathtaking views of Shangri-La gave it the title of “paradise on earth.” It is one of the best places for hiking in China and even the world with many snow-covered mountains, alpine lakes, and hidden mountain villages. You will also discover rich Tibetan culture and religion. Located about 300 km (186 miles) away from Dali, you can get there
- By train: 4.5 hours from Dali Railway Station to Shangri-La Railway Station
FAQs about Dali Transportation
What is the most recommended way to travel around Erhai Lake (e.g., cycling, bus, car, cruise)?
You can choose according to the experience you like. Cycling is suitable to explore the ecological corridor on the west bank of Erhai Lake. Young travelers like it more because they can enjoy free time to explore. Self-driving or chartered bus is the best choice to tour the entire lake and you can stop at anywhere you want. Families usually choose it. The sightseeing bus also covers the main attractions but you can only get off at the designated stops. Most individual travelers prefer it. Cruise is recommended for all tourists, since this perspective is very unique and there are performances on the ship. Your travel experience will be more abundant.
How far is Dali Huangcaoba (Fengyi) Airport (DLU) from Dali Ancient Town?
It is about 30 kilometers.
What is the difference between Dali Ancient Town and Xiaguan (the New City)?
Dali Ancient Town is the core tourism area, and Xiaguan New City is the place where local people live and work.
Is it necessary or advisable for foreigners to use a taxi or ride-hailing app like DiDi, or is the public bus system easy to navigate?
Foreign travelers are not familiar with the bus routes and stops, so it may be not easy for them to navigate. While the taxi or online hailing service will be more friendly.
How long does it take to cycle the entire Erhai Lake loop?
A non-stop loop tour will take about 3 – 4 hours. But most travelers will stop for sightseeing or rest, thus 8 – 9 hours is the most common duration for an entire loop.
Enjoy a Healing Dali Tour with China Xian Tour
The beautiful Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain attract many tourists to travel in Dali. Besides, the leisurely life pace here can relieve your fatigue and cure your heart. It is suitable for everyone who wants to escape from the urban bustle and hustle. If you want to enjoy more travel experiences in a hassle-free way, China Xian Tour can meet your demands. We can arrange the sightseeing way you like and add more cultural experiences like the famous tie-dying, so that you can feel the charm of Dali from more aspects. Our itinerary is tailored for you specially, so we can add your request based on your preferences. Just contact us right now.
